Guinness Ghana reaffirms support for Road Safety

For the fifth year running, Ghana’s leading total beverage business, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL) has launched its annual road safety campaign – Twa Kwano Mmom (Go the distance instead), at Neoplan Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.

Twa Kwano Mmom, a behavioural change programme is aimed at reducing the incidence of drink driving among commercial drivers. The campaign is line with GGBL’s ambition to create a positive role for alcohol in society and discourage drink-driving, especially among commercial drivers.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s campaign, Gavin Pike, Managing Director for GGBL said the campaign is borne out of five (5) commitments made by Global Beer and Spirits Producers to reduce harmful drinking.

“One of those commitments is the need to reduce drinking and driving which is at the heart of our responsible drinking campaigns. Additionally, our leadership in alcohol in society agenda which is an integral part of our 2020 Sustainability and Responsibility Targets seeks to create a positive role for alcohol in society through initiatives that reduce and tackle misuse”, he said.

Gabriel Opoku-Asare, Corporate Relations Director for GGBL, who explained the mechanics of the campaign, said over the next one month, education and breathalyzer tests will be conducted at major transport terminals and check points in Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast.

“To enhance enforcement, the MTTD together with the breathalyzer testing agency will be deployed to various points of the road plied by the drivers. Randomly, drivers will be stopped and tested. A test showing below the limits of 0.08mg/l will be rewarded with a prize and the details of the driver put down and further monitored for rewards at the end of the campaign”, he explained.

Ing. May Obiri-Yeaboah, Executive Director of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), who read a speech on behalf of the Minister for Transport commended GGBL for taking leadership as an alcohol producing company in the area of road safety.

“Over the last few years, we have witnessed your commitment towards ensuring our roads are safe during the festive season. It has been a great intervention in the effort to guarantee safety on Ghanaian roads”, she remarked.

Mr. George Ackom, Director for Vehicle Registration and Inspection at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), who also spoke at the ceremony cautioned commercial drivers to drive with care and be watchful on the road; as their license can be revoked in the event of any acts of irresponsible driving.

This year, the Twa Kwano Mmom campaign is targeting 6000 commercial drivers and will focus on reaching commercial drivers to educate them against drink-driving.